Thursday, January 3, 2013

Jane's Birth Story by Jessica Kettle & the Top 7 Shots to Get During a Birth

I have mentioned on my blog before that I was going to have a Birth Story done by Jessica Kettle for Jane's birth. I wanted to have a birth story for a number of reasons but the main reason was because I didn't want Josh or my family or me to have to worry about taking pictures. When Jett was born Josh was so focused on the delivery that we dont' have a lot of great pictures.

I had seen Jessica post about her birth stories before and I was in love with the idea of having a professional document our special day. I was totally convinced after I watched her segment on Studio 5 where she explained the whole process.

I recently got the pictures back from Jessica and I've been dying to share them with you. Let me take you back to a blissful day in August...

My labor and deliveries are pretty uneventful. I have gotten induced both times. Since Josh is a pilot I don't want to risk the chance of him not being there. On Jane's birthday I just showed up, got the pitocin, had my water broken, got my epidural and then waited....

Jessica got there when I was dilated to about a 4. With Jett I went from a 5-10 in an hour so she was there waiting and ready. While we were waiting she took a lot of detailed shots of the hospital and my delivery room.

The view from my delivery room was pretty nice.

waiting and waiting...

Dr. Terry is the best!! I am hoping he decides to never retire so he can deliver all my kids.

Josh was rubbing my foot. I was totally numb in one leg but had some feeling in the other. Weird?

My parents and Jett came to hang out in the room with us while we waited.

These are the shots that I just love. I never would have been able to capture all of these precious and candid moments without Jessica there.

This is one of my favorite pictures. When it was time to deliver I had my mom and Josh's mom stay in the room to watch Jane be born. Josh is adopted and an only child so his mom has never witnessed a birth in her life. She was so excited and so emotional! More emotional than I even was. Right before Jane was born she started to cry. It was really sweet.

Jane's birth was pretty much seamless. She came into the world kicking and screaming. I couldn't believe how big she was! 8 lbs 3 ounces.

When Jett came back into the room he had picked me a flower. It was a little crumbled but it was so sweet.

My sister Nicole.

Some people may worry that it's weird to have a complete stranger in the room with you but Jessica is totally awesome. She wants to make sure you are comfortable with having her there so if there are shots you want or don't want she'll make sure it happens. I am so happy that we have these beautiful pictures and 50 years from now I can look back and remember every special moment of Jane's birthday.

Ahhhh. This makes me want to have another child. These are just so beautiful. What a treasure, Kirsten. Wow. Such special moments. And how is it that you make delivering a baby seem so easy and so effortless. What is that about?!

I just chanced upon your blog. You're family is darling. Just in case Dr. Terry retires you should go to Dr. Thackeray in his office. He's awesome and not nearing retirement! I know many who love Dr. Terry but Thackeray is amazing too! He switched practices and I was so disappointed he wasn't on my insurance anymore. I've now had 3 kids with 3 doctors and he is hands down the best!!!

Thanks for sharing all these precious intimate photos with us. your family is beautiful and Jane is so lovely... Have you ever seen PBS's 'Call the Midwife'? I just discovered it, and there was a quote; "birth ...is the most common place of miracles"... love that. and loved seeing your very own miracle ;-)

I would love to have a photographer at my impending little girl's birth! (Due next week!) I briefly looked into it, but never really found anyone in my area and certainly would have loved to have a personal reference of some kind. Hopefully my mom will be there, and that will be better than nothing, but if no parents/family were able to come out to visit for the birth I think I would have worked harder to find someone.

And I had to chuckle at her "big" 8 lb 3 oz birthweight - - that is what my baby is *now*. I have big babies and know I'm getting out of there with at least a 9 1/2 almost 10 lb chid. 8 pounds sounds perfectly perfect - almost downright tiny compared to my last baby boy! I wish for 8 pounds. Sigh:)

Thank you so much of sharing your story with us. I was in tears, and I'm not even a mother. How precious that you have these wonderful memories captured. And might I add, you look absolutely beautiful after just giving birth! Amazing! Peace to you and your beautiful family!

Hello!I am not very good in english so I will keep it simple. Congratulations for the beautiful girl!!! Your son look like his father and we can tell that the little beauty will look like you !!! Health and joy to all of you for 2013.Guylaine :)

This was so sweet and beautiful to read and so special that you were able to have such an important milestone documented through photography. Your family is so lovely and wow mama, you looked GREAT! Congrats on your sweet little peanut!

Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. It means a lot. I try and answer any questions directly in the comment section so if you ask a question come back to look for my answer. However it is much easier for me to answer questions through email at kirstenkrason@gmail.com.